Creating a simple Bonsai from garden seedlings

Ideal for beginners and those new to Bonsai, Dan demonstrates in a simple yet highly informative way how to create a small 'Shohin' size Bonsai from a seedling grown in his garden from a seed collected from one of his existing Bonsai.
The video begins with Dan discussing an existing Cotoneaster Shohin Bonsai and moves on to viewing a selection of seedlings from which he will select one to 'transform'.
We then see him create the new Bonsai by pruning and wiring the seedling until it reaches the desired shape - the tree is then potted.
The video finishes with Dan sketching out how he envisages the tree to look in a few years time.
Please remember to like, subscribe, and share if you like the video - thank you!

[@margaretsims4344]

What a lovely garden you have. A tour of your garden showing your collection of trees would make a wonderful video!

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thanks, but sadly I now have very few bonsai left as I've been trying to wind down my collection - difficult for me to manage at my age (85yrs old) - but you never know, I may be able to muster up and discuss the few trees I still have.

[@bonsaibythesea]

Greetings from Nova Scotia enjoyed video

[@danbehrens1621]

Good morning Dan. I’m watching this video as I am just walking up and getting my morning stuff done. I gave the cats their breakfast, cleaned the litter boxes and turned the lights on for my inside plants. I live in eastern Minnesota. I’ve got over a dozen plants on my porch. It’s un heated, I watered them yesterday just to make sure they had a little extra protection. It got really cold last night. I don’t know how low it got, but it’s -20 Fahrenheit (-29 Celsius) right now. As I’m finishing the video right now I realize I don’t think I heard what plant this is. I must have missed it. I was pausing and playing the video as I went about my morning routine. It looks like aCotoneaster. It turned out really cool. I’m not in love with that pot for the final arrangement. But I do the same thing. Whatever I have handy that’s about the right size. I am repotting some of my tropical this time of year. And half of my pots are on the shelf’s under my Bonsai tables outside buried in the snow. There is so much snow outside, and frozen layers under the fresher stuff. I’ve always got to pay close attention to my footing when I’m filling my bird feeders. Frozen boot prints under the snow. We’ll time to get ready for work, it’s Friday!👍😁 I’m ready for that morning cup of coffee. Have a good day Dan. P.S. I love the drawing. Nice touch.👍

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

It's a cotoneaster microphilla

[@alancunningham4274]

An excellent learning video,and a delightful man,

[@KurisuBonsai]

Art, no other word for it, thank you so much for sharing Dan. From the beginning of my Bonsai journey I've always seen the 'specimen' trees as out of reach so have happily concentrated on smaller plants. It's a real joy to see them develop. Plus, you can have loads of them so it's good practice and there is always something to snip here and there. You noted wire biting in too and this is my latest learning curve, it really doesn't take long to happen (months) especially so on the tiddly ones when they have a good growing environment. Wire scissors living in my pocket at the moment!

[@jonathanaristone2468]

Well done Sir, at my age I have to agree with you on scaling down my inventory size. Just as much beauty if not more in Shohin and mame.

[@bartstellink307]

Thanks for this lovely video, enjoyed it a lot.

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thanks for your kind comments.

[@DarleneHerman-k2n]

Hi Dan I’ve been watching you for awhile now and I like to see you moving into a smaller bonsai. I love your lil cottoneaster you made on your table. Mine is in training now. Cheers buddy love you. Darlene usa

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

So nice of you

[@WynneEden]

As always, a divinely pleasing video that taught me much. Thank you sir.

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

That's a very kind comment - thank you too!

[@MsOSheDidIt]

Always so much fun and the information is so amazing. I could watch you work all day. I love your explanations and details. Those cute little Brit words like 'chappie' are just so endearing. You're such a bonsai rockstar. 🙏🫶🏻

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Wow, thank you! Your comments are overwhelming!

[@kevinwilkes5969]

I really enjoyed that video. Learned so much.

[@pela1100]

Que gran video, Dan. Usted transmite paz. Salud, por siempre. 🙇‍♂️

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thank you very much for your kind comments

[@pela1100]

@@danbartonslifewithbonsai745 🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️

[@briankavanagh7191]

Dan, do you still have the Bonsai hedge with the robin on top from your book? A nice brief view of your garden a tour would be great.

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

No, all three of the cotoneaster hedges I've made over the years have been sold. Not much to see in my garden these days as I've had to sell most of my bonsai as I can't lift them any more (age thing!). I still have a few that I need to sell off.

[@grahamleonard8060]

I am so enjoying your channel !

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thanks - there'll soon be one or two more vids in the next few days

[@AnneLarsen-pr8oz]

Love your videos

[@lisztomaniac5710]

Not only did I enjoy the video I'm in love with your smock! Did you make it? I want one just like it.

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

HAHA! my son bought me two of the artist smocks many years ago but I have no idea where he bought them.

[@dflate]

I have some nice "lawn"-a-dori/"mow and grow' Cotoneaster seedlings that I pulled out of my lawn. 😀

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Lucky you - have fun!

[@marysesalleneuve4178]

Bonjour, très beau ce petit Cotonoaster. Bravo

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thank you

[@denisesoultanian5134]

beautiful!

[@mikeswain9085]

Dan, as much as I love your pots, I really do like this small Cotoneaster you've created and the way you have styled and shaped it. I'm ashamed to admit I only thought of you as a potter but I can see you're a bonsai artist too.

[@danbarton1019]

I've been creating bonsai since 1969

[@soonzach4017]

Very nice 👍❤️

[@imolourembam7111]

Sir live longer by playing with your plants

[@maryoverton7245]

so enjoyed your video, love that pot and just like you I am going shohin still have some of my bigger trees but cannot lift them anymore

[@bwusstsein4023]

excellent, thank you very much! Please give us more ... 💚🪴✂

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂

[@nickm8134]

Hi Dan - you are largely responsible for my interest in Bonsai! I bought 'The Bonsai Book' from a local garden centre in 1989 and I have been a bonsai enthusiast ever since. I still read that book and it continues to inspire. So good to see you are continuing to share your knowledge and enthusiasm for this fantastic hobby.

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thanks for your kind comments and glad my book (1st edition) has been of some help.

[@mmjnice97]

I was wondering if you would share some of your bonsai inside your pots.. my mother his a Pottery studio and your videos have inspired me to combine both hobbies bonsai and my newly acquired hobby making bonsai pot's for my growing collection.. and I have 5 cotoneaster bonsai hehehehe.. mostly cranberry cotoneaster.. I like how long the wood lasts when I Jin the branches.. and the wood is super hard on that kind of cotoneaster,,, but the little guy you have is very interesting to me,,, I'm pretty sure i have one of that variety too,, the berries are a bit out of scale but they are nonetheless cute as a cat with sunglasses..

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thanks for your kind comments .....good luck with your pot making......we hope at some later date to post some pictures of bonsai in my pots.

[@PatriciaOConnorBonsaiBalcony]

Very Nice Mame Trees good work too!

[@jasongannon7676]

Most of the time I injoy bonsai plants when they are younger like the one you have just potted up more than sum of the older ones.

[@abyss538]

happy to watch your videos.. stay healthy and active.. ❤❤

[@lucacecchetelli5153]

Is there a commercially available glaze that you would personally recommend for training both pouring and dipping techniques? Thank you for all the insights that you share :)

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

To tell you the truth, I really don't know as I make up all of my own glazes and very rarely use commercially available ones. Thanks for your kind comments.

[@rsa420]

Really interesting thank you for sharing

[@trevorclark6038]

Thank you Dan wonderful video, Very interesting, You are a wonderful bonsai man a true master I really enjoyed watching 👍

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thanks for your kind comments - much appreciated

[@joegarland4885]

That was magical thank you I enjoyed that a lot

[@johnstarkey4959]

Thanks for sharing your process for making these wonderful Shohin trees Dan. I am going to ask my wife to help me sketch one or two of my trees ( never been good at drawing) she’s an excellent sketcher, take care Dan 🤝

[@debracisneroshhp2827]

Hi, Dan, New to your channel, love what you did with that little guy. 🌿 Personally, I LOVE the pot you used! So, what's with your 'friend' re: you singing while you create? Is he your regular video man? I think it's sweet to sing while working with your plant babies__they like it, too! I can appreciate the work "Jules and Bean" does, getting all the angles and closeups, etc.__at the same time, maybe he could learn to meditate as a 'coping' technique for the little 'quirks' that sometimes evolve while practicing our hobbies. 😛😺 Thank you for sharing your creativity with us, I appreciate your gift. Love, Light, and Bonsai Blessings. 🙏😇✨💫🌱🌿🐝🌳🌎💖🙌😺

[@danbarton1019]

Thank you Debra

[@beinghere1494]

Lovely, what’s the best way to nourish these little treasures 🙏🏽

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

I tend to use a hi-potash fertiliser such as Chempak no.4 during the growing season.

[@eddyhardy785]

As a wheelchair user who also only has a small backyard with some pots, this is a perfect size to work with. very inspiring thank you. I am trying to create some Bonsai without using wire, still very much a beginner but enjoying the process.

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Yep!....small bonsai are great fun and cotoneasters are a wonderful species to work with. Enjoy and good luck

[@sakubonsai]

Nice work 👍. There are not many videos about Cotoneaster. I think they are great species and also they are my favourites

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Many thanks

[@margaretsims4344]

I have a couple of cotoneaster trained into semi cascade. Such an easy little tree to work with, and so pretty with the red berries. An ideal starter tree for beginners. Nice demo.

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thanks for your kind comment - I luv 'em!!!

[@pdean_photography929]

Can’t get enough of your videos. I think I’ll watch all of them. Thank you.

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thanks for your kind comments - I know some of the videos are rather long, but it's worth watching from start to finish as there is always a lot of info in the dialogue

[@pdean_photography929]

@@danbartonslifewithbonsai745 Hello Dan, I'm sucking up all dialogue and techniques like a sponge and at 70yrs I'm still learning every day even though I've been into the art since the mid 90's I've gotten seriously into it in the last 2 yrs. Thank you for all you share with us.

[@fishmut]

Lovely little bonsais my friend , I guess after some time with experience and good guidance such as yours in your videos on your wonderful bonsais we all can learn from you and produce amazing creative bonsais from what we learned , your tips and creativeness and what to do helps tremendously Dan more than you know , thanks again for doing these videos mate , wishing you all the best .🙏

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Thanks for your very kind comments - much appreciated.

[@DarleneHerman-k2n]

Dan a really nice little bonsai con Easter chapped. . Wish I could have you send it to me. “Dar USA” loved watching you doodle this little guy inti life😉

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

So nice of you

[@soonzach4017]

Absolutely beautiful, thank you for sharing 👍🙏❤️

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@samimurtomaki5534]

This video made my day better, and it was not that bad to beging with 🙂

[@danbartonslifewithbonsai745]

Let's hope it continues well for you. Thanks